Mop For Cleaning

ABSTRACT

This invention is a cleaning mop that is made differently to mops currently on the market, and in particular, part of this invention is the structure of the edges and the way they are made for this mop; and the invention has an appearance and a method for being used that is similar to traditional cleaning cloths, except that advantageously it has no stitching along the perimeter edges.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Italian Patent Application PD2012/A000136, filed on 4 May 2012, and PCT Application PCT/IB2012/053518, filed on 3 May 2013, both incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is a cleaning mop, in particular a cleaning mop with edges that are differently structured and a new system for making a cleaning mop.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

It is well known that a cleaning rag or cloth, very often defined as a cleaning mop, comprises a support and an active part.

While the support has the function of providing solidity and to retain the active part, the active part, on the other hand, is that part of the mop that can carry out the actual cleaning function, coming into contact with the surfaces to be cleaned, removing and retaining the dirt.

The shape of a normal mop is rectangular, with blades or tabs on its edges, or other devices for retaining the respective mop base.

Since the mop is a cloth that is not thick enough to be used with uniform pressure over the its entire extension directly on the floor, it is necessary for the effective use of a mop to use a mop base that in some way is joined to said mop.

The mop base, in fact, is a rigid structure composed of one or more articulated elements that, holding the mop facing the floor, allows the cleaning to be directed by pressing the cloth uniformly on the floor with pressure exercised by the operator through the handle, hinged to said mop base.

The standard mop can be used both wet and dry, when implementing a different phase of the cleaning

Not much in terms of performance is asked of the standard mop.

Namely, that it can with a few passes over the floor, carry out the cleaning for which it is proposed, and also that it can collect and retain the dirt it encounters, and again, that it can withstand all the chemical washing and disinfection products used, and further, that it can support a large number of washes and wringing, and finally, that it can be washed many times in an industrial high temperature washing machine without any deterioration.

If, in addition to the above-mentioned characteristics, it is required also that it is inexpensive, since it is a widely used consumable, we understand how important even a minimum improvement could be.

Mops, to be able to provide the above-mentioned mechanical characteristics, require a support made of a strong and continuous material, and this is especially true at the ends or the edge, since these parts are most exposed to wear and are subjected to greater mechanical stress during the various operations: the edges need particular attention, both for the material used as well as for their creation and arrangement.

Therefore, very often the edges of a mop are finished and reinforced with a stitched binding, which has no cleaning function but just to strengthen the parts that are the ones most under stress.

This stitched binding along the edge can directly overlap the edge itself, but very often it is folded over to retain the edge inside it by means of linear stitching, which unites the three layers; a first layer composed of the binding on top of the edge, a second layer composed of the edge itself of the cloth, and finally a third layer composed of the sewn binding itself underneath the cloth but folded.

In fact, it is logical that as soon as the edge of the mop wears out and deteriorates, the whole mop has to be replaced, even if most of its active surface is still in good shape to continue normal cleaning Another point of the mop that comes under a great deal of stress is the attachment of blades or other devices, which have the job of joining the mop to the base for a solid hold.

For this reason, these blades or tabs or other elements joined to the mop with the same function, are not made of a very strong material and nor stitched to the mop with any particular care.

With or without a binding, the edges need to be strengthened with precise stitching at the end, and therefore the use of an overlock sewing machine is to be preferred.

The thread used for this operation to strengthen and stiffen the edge is a very strong thread, necessarily different to the mop support and to the material that does the cleaning.

Very often, it is not a single thread that is used in the edging operations, which should have a very large cross-section, but rather several threads with a smaller section are preferred.

The use of an overlock sewing machine makes a mop quite rapidly, while keeping unit costs low.

This is true if the stitching operations are continuous and straight.

Sometimes, however, the side edging of the mop is not straight, but for some special requirements has to be shaped and curved.

These requirements, even if it is possible to do them with the above-mentioned machine, slow things down, forcing the use of a slow operation to make the above-mentioned curved profile; this affects manufacturing times and therefore also the unit costs per mop.

If, lastly, in addition to the curvatures also interruptions or changes of direction for very abrupt indents are required, the sewing operations have to be interrupted to change the angulation of the support, and then afterwards the work can be restarted with the different angulation direction with respect to the previous one.

Naturally, these operations of following the particular curved profile and/or the interruption of the stitching operations, which are later restarted with an angled direction, can only be done manually and therefore generally they are avoided because of the high costs involved in making the mop.

It should also be said that the material used for the stitching, even if it is the most compatible with the support, is very often necessarily different.

This difference introduces drawbacks that have a negative impact over time.

In fact, with each washing, the shrinkages and the differing stresses from the thermal expansion coefficient of the two different materials, entail various tensions and compressions between the structure of the mop and relative stitching of the edge, influencing the flat disposition.

This flat arrangement is very important in the eventuality that the edge of the mop has to be held by the gripper mouth of a mop base, whose opening is relatively small.

Recently there has been the possibility of using mops on both surfaces, a very advantageous feature in combination with a mop base that allows the desired surface of the mop to be used without detaching it and rotating it with respect to the base to which it is attached

These types of mop bases are, for example, those that hold the mop by gripping it along the lengthwise edge, and which can be rotated to place one of the two surfaces face down on the floor.

However, to use this base correctly, opportunely using both surfaces of the mop, this has to position both active surfaces to be used for cleaning

A mop of this type can advantageously be made with the symmetrical coupling of a pair of mops stitched together along their perimeter.

It is clear that in the event a curved profile is required, or one with sharp-cornered indentations, the same above-mentioned drawbacks apply.

This type of mop, however, has another drawback, in the phase when it is joined to the mop base that has a gripper mouth for holding the lengthwise edge of the mop, since said edge is thin and very often with wrinkles, it is difficult or impossible to insert it inside the mouth.

In fact, the thickness of the double cloth, composed of the stitched joint of the two symmetrical cloths, corresponds to the sum of the thickness of each cloth used and its stitching.

This thickness, comparable to the size of the opening of the gripper mouth, makes any insertion difficult.

It is clear that if this insertion is difficult also when done manually, it is to be ruled out that it can occur without some manual intervention, or operation with the simple putting together of the base and the cloth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For all the reasons mentioned above, there is need of a new mop made in a new way that can overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Another object of this invention is to make available a mop that is similar to and can replace current mops.

A further object of this invention is to make available a mop that can be made equally cheaply as that made with stitching along the edges, but with improved productivity and equally reliable results.

An even further object of this invention is to make available a mop that can be effectively made also when there are curved profiles and with indentations that present interruptions or angles.

Another object of this invention is to make available a mop that can be made with a precise dimension that can be exactly repeated.

A further object of this invention is to make available a mop that does not have the drawback of differentiated shrinkage or tensions near the edges.

Another object of this invention is to make available a mop that can also easily create the mop joint with the purposes mentioned above.

An even further object of this invention is to make available a mop that is suitable for being easily joined to a mop base.

Another object of this invention is to make available a mop that is easily joined along its lengthwise edge to a gripper mouth of a mop base.

All the above-mentioned objects are attained with this invention that is made in accordance with claim 1. The dependent claims describe variations.

In particular, this invention is a cleaning cloth or cleaning mop, composed in at least one or more perimeter edges of a sealable material that itself has one or more perimeter edges sealed continuously or in a series of spaced out spots.

Beneficially, the sealing used is of the ultrasonic variety, providing a reliable seal that is also quick to make.

Beneficially, not only the edge, but also the entire surface of the mop is composed of a sealable material, and advantageously using ultrasonic sealing, allowing a mop to be made directly from a strip of this sealable material.

Another benefit of this invention is that it can provide a cleaning mop that is completely the same as, and can replace, current mops whose edges are stitched, allowing the mop of this invention to be used with standard equipment.

Another advantage of this invention is the inexpensiveness of the mop obtained, since it can provide excellent productivity, avoiding machine downtimes because, for example, of sewing thread breaking or the necessary and continuous replacement of the sewing thread.

Another object of this invention is the fact that any profile, whether straight or curved, or whether with interruptions with a different angle, can be made without any slowdown in production operations.

The above-mentioned production operations can be advantageously obtained with a predetermined and repeatable precise size, which therefore considerably raises the quality of the product obtained.

Very advantageously, since there is no other material different to that of the mop, the sealing of the edges does not create tensions or varied shrinkage, which is the origin of wrinkling

In fact, having a flat mop, without any wrinkling is very useful for a uniform absorption of the liquid detergent also in the edge areas.

The union of various layers can also advantageously make a mop according to the invention, obtaining a mop with a double active surface, on both sides, where said union of the edges with various layers is carried out using sealing and advantageously using ultrasonic sealing.

Advantageously, a mop formed of the union of diverse materials can be obtained according to the invention, opportunely calibrating the degree of penetration of the sealing, obtaining a reliable and solid joint along the entire edge, also near the corner zones.

Advantageously, with the object of this invention a strengthened edge can be obtained that is useful for being easily attached to a mop base.

A further advantage can be obtained with a mop according to the invention where the sealing of the edges is continuous but at set points, eventually spaced out, leaving a zone for compensating the tensions or any differentiated shrinkages between one sealing point and another, and also providing a flexibility comparable to that of a cloth that has not been sealed.

A further advantage is with sealing, continuous or spaced apart spot sealing, not only along the perimeter edge but also inside the perimeter of the mop greater structural solidity is thereby conferred to the mop itself.

Since, generally, a mop is attached to a base by means of retention tabs, which are joined to the mop itself as different and separate elements, with the production method of this invention at least a perimeter sealed part advantageously creates the above-mentioned tabs suitable for being joined to a mop base, thereby avoiding having to accessorize the mop with other different and separate retention tabs.

In the eventuality that the mop base has a gripper mouth for retaining the mop along the lengthwise edge, advantageously these coupling tabs are directly usable by at least a part of the sealed lengthwise edge that forms the tabs suited for being retained by a mop base with a mouth for gripping the lengthwise edge of the mop.

Advantageously, this invention comprises at least three laminar surfaces sealed to one another along the edges, where the one interposed centrally, defined as a second surface or central surface, is an impermeable surface, constituting an airtight barrier between a first external washing surface and the third opposite surface that is, thanks to the above-mentioned barrier, independent of the wetting or dampness of the first surface.

This way of making a cloth composed of three surfaces, where the central impermeable one, where the edges are sealed, makes and guarantees complete waterproofing up to the edges of the cloth, keeping one surface completely dry, even when the opposite surface has been wet with water or a detergent solution.

Eventually replacing the central impermeable surface either interposed between the central impermeable surface and the surface to be wet or dampened with water or detergent, there is one or more layers of absorbent material that can absorb and release a certain amount of water or detergent to facilitate and prolong the cleaning operations.

In fact, with the adoption of one or more layers of absorbent material, there is a considerable increase in autonomy and productivity, since this absorbent material can act as a pad or a sponge, releasing the absorbed liquid a little at a time according to the pressure on it exercised by the base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technical characteristics of the cleaning cloth of this invention, for the above-mentioned purposes, which can clearly be seen in the content of the claims below, and the benefits of it will be more clearly evident in the detailed description that follows, made in reference to the attached drawings, which represents only one example of a preferred embodiment, but that is in no way restricted to this, where:

FIG. 1 shows a normal cleaning cloth with edges that have a stitched band;

FIG. 2 shows a cleaning cloth according to the invention with edges that have been sealed in a continuous manner;

FIG. 3 shows a cleaning cloth according to the invention with the edges sealed with a series of points;

FIG. 4 shows a cleaning cloth according to the invention with a particularly profiled edge;

FIG. 5 shows a cleaning cloth according to the invention that has a double active surface; and

FIG. 6 shows a cleaning cloth according to the previous figure including an impermeable barrier interposed between the two outer active surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the diagrams, the normal cleaning cloth 1 has a support surface 5, just one side of which has material 6 suitable for cleaning operations.

Said cloth 1, has a stitched band on its edge, usually with linear stitching 4 along its edges 2 to strengthen it and increase its resistance to wear.

The object of the invention is a cleaning cloth or mop 7, equipped with a support surface 8, just one side of which has material 9 that is suitable for cleaning, where its edges 14 are sealed with continuous sealing 10 or with spot sealing 11.

The invention does not require, however, any stitching because the sealing 10, 11 of its edges 14 strengthens its structure, thereby preventing it from deteriorating, but even if a further band was required, this would be joined to it using a sealing process 10, 11 in a single pass, without requiring any stitching.

Furthermore, since it does not need to remain next to the edge for zig-zag stitching that keeps united the weft that has been cut by an overlock machine, it is evident that the operations for making the cleaning cloth 7 of this invention are much quicker.

This speed, due to the sealing 10, 11 that strengthens the edges 14 of the cleaning cloth 7, is not to the detriment of any precision and flexibility in the manufacturing.

In fact, the sealing 10, 11 can be repeated with pre-set precision.

In the event the sealing 10, 11 is not needed, it is clear that the sealing can be omitted and then taken up where required, eventually adopting non-continuous sealing 10 but spot sealing 11.

Using sealing not only near the perimeter edges 14, but also inside the perimeter of the cleaning cloth, provides greater structural thickness.

Moreover, it has been shown that a necessary treatment of curved or profiled indents 12 or sharp angles 13 is not difficult at all for making the sealing 10, 11, because it can adapt to any required profile of the edges 14.

This aspect allows cloths with special indentations to be obtained, even very elaborate ones, adapting to tabs or raised areas present on the respective base.

In a second embodiment, the cleaning cloth 15 has a double cleaning surface, for each of the two sides.

This cleaning cloth 15 is obtained from the union of two 7 basically symmetrical cloths joined along the perimeter edge (or eventually for a single folded cloth 7 just their free edges are joined).

Such a cleaning cloth 15, which can easily be obtained with the methods set out above, is particularly useful and effective in combination with a mop base that allows you to make use of both active cleaning surfaces, eventually without detaching and rotating for re-joining the above-mentioned cleaning cloth 15 with the double active surface.

This union is advantageously obtained using sealing 10, 11, which strengthens its edges 14, preventing the weft from unravelling because of wear or deterioration.

These stiffened edges 14 can advantageously be used in combination with a mop base that can engage the cleaning cloth 15 along its lengthwise edge.

With this stiffened edge 14 profile, the joining of the cloth and the base is facilitated, providing for an easy and convenient insertion of said edge 14 inside the gripper mouth of the mop base. 

1. A mop for cleaning comprising, on at least one perimetric edge, a sealable material, the at least one perimetric edge having continuous sealing or spot sealing.
 2. The mop for cleaning of claim 1 wherein the sealing is ultrasonic sealing.
 3. The mop for cleaning of claim 1 wherein the entire surface of the cleaning mop is made of sealable material.
 4. The mop for cleaning of claim 1 wherein the mop has a profile with recesses or notches.
 5. The mop for cleaning of claim 1 wherein the mop obtained with the at least one sealed edge is flat and smooth, without any wrinkling.
 6. The mop for cleaning of claim 1 characterized by the fact that the at least one sealed edge are stiffened edges suitable for being joined to a mop base.
 7. The mop for cleaning of claim 1 wherein the spot sealing of the at least one edge leaves an expansion zone between one sealing spot and the next, the expansion zone accommodating any stretching or shrinkage.
 8. The mop for cleaning of claim 1 wherein at least one sealed part of two lengthwise edges includes at least one linking device suitable for joining to a mop base equipped with a gripper for retaining the lengthwise edge of the mop.
 9. The mop for cleaning of claim 1 wherein the cleaning mop is made from a pair of reciprocally symmetrical surfaces sealed on at least one edge, providing a mop for cleaning with two active surfaces that can be used for cleaning.
 10. The mop for cleaning of claim 9 wherein between the two symmetrical surfaces there is a central impermeable surface, all surfaces sealed mutually together on the at least one edge.
 11. The mop for cleaning of claim 10 wherein each perimeter edge of the outer symmetrical surfaces and the central impermeable surface are sealed making the central surface with the sealed edges an airtight barrier between the opposite outer surfaces.
 12. The mop for cleaning of claim 11 further including at least one layer of absorbent material positioned between the two outer symmetrical surfaces that can absorb and release water and detergent. 